AZ Wilderness, Derek Osborne top 2015 ASHy Award winners

The Arizona Society of Homebrewers, the largest homebrewing club in the United States with more than 500 members, handed out its 2015 ASHy Awards over the weekend.

The fourth annual awards, voted on by members, recognize not only club members’ accomplishments, but also achievement in the craft beer industry in Arizona.

Arizona Wilderness in Gilbert was named Best Arizona Brewery for the second straight year, and Derek Osborne of Pedal Haus in Tempe was named Best Arizona Brewmaster.

For the first time, ASH also awarded a Best Brewery in each of four geographic regions: Beer Research Institute in Mesa (East), SunUp in Phoenix (West), Mother Road in Flagstaff (North), and Dragoon in Tucson (South).

BRI also was named Best New Brewery.

SunUp’s White Russian imperial stout was tabbed as Best Overall Arizona Beer. Candy Bar Milk Stout from Fate in Scottsdale repeated as Best Seasonal Beer.

Best Craft Beer Bar also was awarded by region: The Brass Tap in Mesa (East), Taste of Tops in Tempe (West), The State Bar in Flagstaff (North), and Tap & Bottle in Tucson (South).

Other 2015 winners included:

• Best Beer Bartender: Tiffany Fowler of Arizona Wilderness (pictured above on right, with co-workers)
• Best Happy Hour: The Perch in Chandler
• Best Bottle Shop: GCM Liquor in Gilbert
• Best Publican: Jon Lane of OHSO in Phoenix
• J.R. Wheeler Unsung Hero Award: John Alvarado (aka Hoppymoto Biiru-san) of Arizona Brewery Tours
• Best Arizona Brewery Rep: Billie McGovern of Prescott Brewing
• Best Out-of-State Brewery Rep: Ben VanderMeer of Sierra Nevada
• Best Arizona Distributor Rep: David Delgado of Quail
• ASH Homebrewer of the Year: Mark Peterson
• ASH Volunteer of the Year: Bret Waters
• ASH Lifetime Member Inductees: Scott Allen and John Jordan
• ASH Most Prolific Brewer: Bret Waters

See the full list of 2016 winners here.